(almost) too many choices...

As I write this, the snow is falling heavily in the mountains all across the Northwest. Finally, something to lift our spirits for this winter.

Now around this transitional time of the year, skiers, snowboarders, sledders, and like are all facing a challenge for the coming winter: Creating that Music playlist for the coming winter to ski, ride, jib, slash, and steeze to.

Accomplishing this task can be a daunting, even intimidating task for many people out there, especially since there is a vast array of of genres and artists to choose from. Almost every rider that had done this before has their own way of going about doing this. Most have learned from experience or from someone else. Now while there a multitude of ways to pick and choose your music for this winter, I should point out that there is not correct way to do it. It's all by your taste in music and what you want to listen to on the snow. But, I might as well put out a fews tips that I use, to choose my music.

Like said, this is just how I do it.

1) Never make just one playlist. I always make a few different ones, depending on what the conditions are or what my mood is for the day. Such playlists include:
- Powder Day mix
- Park/Freestyle Mix
- Sunny Day Mix
- All Around Mix ( A must in my opinion, but more on that later...)

2) NO repeat songs from previous year mixes. I try to keep it fresh every year to keep it interesting. I don't want to be listening to same song as last year that I thought was the best at the time, but end up having to get rid of it after the first day. That's not kosher with me.

3) Try mixing several genres together. Yes, you can have your Techno, Alt, and Country playlists too. But why not try to mix a couple together? You might be surprised.

4) Always be open to new songs in the midseason. Careful about this one though, because adding a new song that your stoked on can sometimes make your curent song selection seem old and standard. If nothing else, wait until you have a couple more, then add them.

5) Have a standard, all around playlist. This is my main mix for the season. My go-to, all around, fallback, and favorite playlist to ski to when I'm not sure what I want to listen too. I take my time to make this playlist, and can easily take over a month to complete. How do I do it? Well...
- First I throw together a list of potential songs. Even if they might have a chance, or I'm on the fence about, I'll throw them in. You never know.
- Then I go through all of them and narrow list by more than half.
- After that, then I just freestyle it until it meets my standards.

6) The number of songs on you playlists is completely up to you. Mine typically contain between 20 and 40 songs.

Many off you already know how you make your lists, and will scoff at this. I don't care, as I already said, it is completely up to you how you make your playlists. I hope I helped someone out a little, though. Whatever. Have fun with it!


Pray for Snow!

 The S-Jenk